Medical waste generation and disposal are daily activities for healthcare practitioners. Although most healthcare waste is ordinary, non-hazardous waste, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 15% is infectious, poisonous, or radioactive. Before working with medical waste, healthcare workers should be trained on the risks involved and ways for safely handling and disposing of it. Proper medical waste disposal reduces risk in both clinical settings and surrounding communities, but the rise of at-home care introduces a new problem into the business.
Understanding Medical Waste and Training Requirements
The concept of regulated medical waste (RMW) differs by state, but it usually includes soft waste such as blood-saturated cloth gauze and bandages, as well as other items that could be infectious (OPIM) and sharps waste (which includes contaminated glass, needles, blades, stitches, wires, and the exposed ends of dental wires). Pharmaceutical waste refers to any abandoned medicine. It is critical to understand your state's regulations and ensure you have the necessary training in place.
Some states might ask for both orientation and yearly refresher training, while others may not have such requirements. In addition to state standards, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires orientation and annual refresher training for employees who handle sharps and potentially contagious materials. This training should include measures for preventing accidental injuries and lowering the risk of spreading bloodborne diseases.
Complete medical waste training for a safer healthcare environment
Comprehensive medical waste management training can contribute to a safer hospital environment. Almost a quarter (23%) of Healthcare Practitioners (HCPs) say they do not get a refresher or updated training on medical waste management. Surprisingly, 70% of polled healthcare providers say they have a good awareness of how their firm disposes of medical waste.
The report's findings also highlight the importance of prioritizing and addressing waste management in at-home care contexts. Eighty-six percent of the healthcare professionals polled had little confidence in their patients' understanding of safe disposal methods, and 87% believed that patients lacked the requisite training and resources. This is likely compounded by the shifting sorts of waste produced as at-home acute care grows more prevalent.
Furthermore, 93% of consumers surveyed believe that patients need more information and resources to effectively manage medical or pharmaceutical waste in at-home care settings, while 92% believe that healthcare providers need more training to maintain safe working conditions in these same environments. The findings emphasize the significance of comprehensive medical waste disposal education, indicating a gap between administrators' expectations of HCP training and the reality of instruction in healthcare settings. For example, whereas 86% of administrators believe HCPs have received adequate training in pharmaceutical waste management, only 72% of questioned HCPs agree.
Partner with Professional Medical Waste Company
Healthcare institutions should consider partnering with a reputable medical waste management company. HCPs require not only resources to cope more effectively with the stress caused by understaffing but also assistance with the proper disposal of regulated medical waste and pharmaceutical waste. These enhancements can lower the strain of healthcare personnel and the risk of stress.
Trihaz may serve as your strategic waste management training partner, collaborating with you to provide current instructional tools and materials. Trihaz Solutions offers safe compliance training solutions, which provide healthcare professionals with a variety of online training on OSHA and HIPAA compliance, medical waste disposal, and Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Training in relation to the products we sell. By prioritizing OSHA requirements, healthcare organizations can help create a healthy environment for all parties involved and easily find proper medical waste disposal near me.
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